The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has shut down Ahadi Rehabilitation Center in Githunguri, Kiambu County, after a surprise inspection uncovered squalid conditions and gross violations of health and safety regulations.
During the operation, NACADA’s Compliance and Enforcement team, in collaboration with Public Health officials, found the facility operating without any qualified medical or counselling staff. Several clients were visibly ill and had been left without appropriate medical attention, while the living quarters were in a state of severe neglect. Dormitories were overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and littered with torn, soiled mattresses. The toilets were unhygienic, posing a serious public health hazard, and the kitchen, where food was stored and prepared, was described as a breeding ground for disease.
“This isn’t just substandard, it’s criminal exploitation of vulnerable Kenyans,” said NACADA CEO Dr. Anthony Omerikwa. “We will not tolerate these so-called rehabilitation centres that operate as human warehouses rather than places of healing.”
Dr. Omerikwa emphasized that while the country faces a significant shortage of licensed treatment facilities, only 139 of the 255 inspected centres are accredited, lowering standards is not an option. An estimated 3.2 million Kenyans suffer from substance use disorders, he noted, and deserve care delivered with dignity and professionalism.
Following the immediate closure of the facility, NACADA coordinated the safe relocation of all residents to accredited centres and notified their families to assist with the transition. The authority also urged the public to confirm the licensing status of rehabilitation centres and report suspicious operations via its toll-free line 1192.
The closure comes amid growing concern over the proliferation of unregulated rehabs in Kenya, many of which exploit desperate families while offering inadequate or harmful treatment. Studies suggest that nearly one in four private centres in the country operate illegally.
NACADA’s latest action marks a firm warning to non-compliant facilities nationwide, with the agency now preparing for sweeping nationwide inspections. “Recovery must happen with dignity,” Dr. Omerikwa stated, “and we will ensure that every centre meets that standard.”
For families navigating addiction recovery, NACADA’s message is clear: support is available, but only through licensed, ethical providers committed to genuine healing.
Written By Rodney Mbua
